ESTIDHKAAR ON TARGET FOR DEWHURST
Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum's standout juvenile Estidhkaar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), winner of three straight races including the G2 Superlative S. July 12 and G2 Champagne S. Sept. 13, is likely to test Group 1 company for the first time in the G1 Dewhurst S. on Future Champions Day at Newmarket Oct. 17.
“Estidhkaar is on target for the Dewhurst, he is fine at the moment and we are very pleased with him,” said trainer Richard Hannon. Estidhkaar could face a bevy of Ballydoyle challengers, with trainer Aidan O'Brien responsible for 13 of the 34 horses still in contention for the juvenile showpiece, including G1 National S. winner Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and unbeaten J “TDN Rising Star” J Ol' Man River (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Other possibles for the Dewhurst includeAktabantay (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Ire}).
Meanwhile, Hannon noted that his other group-winning juveniles Ivawood (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), Kool Kompany (Ire) (Jeremy) and Beacon (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) would target the G1 Middle Park S. on the same card.
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